Residents tell Salem supervisors Daniels Cement Plant, excavation operation create safety, noise and air-quality concerns

During the public-comment portion of the Oct. 16 Salem Township supervisors’ meeting, residents pressed the board over industrial activity near residential areas.

Resident Lisa Segina presented a petition of 28 names from neighbors who asked the board to enforce developer requirements before projects proceed, saying industrial complexes are appearing in residential backyards. Segina also asked that an email from resident Linda Helman be read into the record; Helman’s letter, entered into the minutes, described safety concerns with cement trucks on Route 819, repeated night and early-morning noise from plant operations, air-pollution concerns, and a perceived loss of property value.

Helman asked the supervisors to require mitigation such as fencing and to act to preserve the township’s rural character. The email said the signers could not attend the meeting and requested the letter be read into the public record.

Solicitor Falatovich responded that the Township has been addressing Daniels through the Planning process and is awaiting as-built plans, with a submission deadline of Dec. 31, 2024. Falatovich noted the Township hopes to receive as-built plans soon and will continue the Planning review process. The record did not include technical measurements of noise or air quality, nor did it record enforcement actions taken at the meeting.

The petition and Helman’s email were entered into the public record; the board did not announce specific mitigation measures at the Oct. 16 meeting.